Visually color coded water treatment chemicals

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a desired chemical solution that maintains the desired water chemistry of the pool or spa, the chemical solution being color coded with a water soluble colorant or dye which serves as an indicia to the pool or spa owner of the depletion of the chemical solution from the dispensing unit and the need for replacement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools ofstanding water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributesa chemical water treatment solution, the solution including a colorcoded organic or inorganic dye to assist in determining when thesolution has been fully dispensed and the dispensing unit requiresreplacement.

2. Description of the Prior Art

This invention relates to water quality, and more particularly tomethods and apparatus for feeding controlled amounts of chemicalsolutions into swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, cooling towers and otherstanding water ponds, the particular chemical solution being dispensedto maintain or improve water quality.

In home swimming pools and in newly popular hot tubs, spas, and otherwater pools, it is almost always necessary to filter and recirculate thewater and to add certain chemicals, such as organic flocculating agents,which greatly improved the effectiveness of the filters in removingimpurities. Other additives may include clarifiers, anti-scaling agents,algaecides, metallic stain preventors, scum line eliminators, filtercleaners and degreasers alone or in combination, plus spring pool or spaopening chemicals and winter closing chemicals.

Still further, chlorination is undertaken in swimming pools, hot tubsand spas in order to improve the quality of water and in some instances,chelating agents are positioned in the water to prevent the formation ofscale in boilers.

In large public and commercial systems, apparatus know as “feeders” areused to meter predetermined amounts of such chemicals into the water.This is practical from the stand point of large industrial and publictreatment facilities, but the necessary capital investment for suchequipment makes it impractical for a home pool, spa, hot tub or smallcooling tower.

Additionally, with respect to swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, thereare often extended periods of time when the swimming pool, hot tub orspa is not in use, yet the swimming pool, hot tub or spa is subjected tothe ambient weather conditions, which depending upon the time of year,can include extreme heat. In such a situation, the swimming pool, hottub or spa looses water volume to evaporation, which in turn effects thechemistry of the water in the swimming pool, hot tub or spa, due to thereduced volume.

It has been discovered that many of the desired water treatmentchemicals needed for relatively small swimming pools, hot tubs and spas,can be packaged and shipped in closed and sealed plastic spheres ofhandy size. In use, one or more holes are opened in the shell of thesphere and the sphere and chemical solution enclosed is dropped in thewater system. It has further been discovered that the motion of thewater and of the sphere in the water can produce the desired rate ofchemical feeding. A dispenser of this type and suitable for dispensingApplicant's formulation is disclosed by Etani in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,880,547; 4,530,120; 4,853,131; 4,775,485; 4,692,314; and 4,519,814,which is incorporated by reference.

In one embodiment, the capsule is used to add a chemical from the groupconsisting of flocculants, coagulants, microbiocides, disinfectants,disinfectant enhancers, oxidizers, sequestrants, chelating agents,defoamers, germicides, and evaporation retarders, to the water of abackyard swimming pool. Dropped into the skimmer basket the capsuleintroduces the chemical at a substantially constant rate proportional tothe rate of flow and independent of the amount of undissolved alumremaining in the capsule. Although at any instant the dispensing ratefrom the capsule will depend upon the position of the apertures relativeto the flow, the positioned effect is eliminated, on the average,because of the movement of the capsule. This type of chemical feedingprovides a cleaner pool and a more economical method of introducing thechemicals into the pool.

The present invention adapts the use of these sealed plastic spheres andchemical solutions with a color coded organic or inorganic dye whichserves as an indicator or indicia of the amount of solution dispensed,and thereby aids the pool or spa owner in determining the amount ofsolution remaining or the need to replace the depleted dispenser with anew full dispenser in order to maintain the desired chemistry of thewater of the swimming pool, hot tub or spa.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel deliverysystem for water treatment chemicals for swimming pools, hot tubs andspas.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a noveldelivery system in the form of a safe container for storage, shipmentand introduction of water chemicals that both simple and safe.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for a noveldelivery system for a chemical solution for a swimming pool, hot tub orspa which chemical solution is color coded with a water soluble colorantor dye, either organic or inorganic, which serves an indicia to the poolor spa owner of the depletion of the chemical solution and the need toreplace the dispenser with a new, full dispenser of the desired chemicalsolution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools ofstanding water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributesa desired chemical solution that maintains the desired water chemistryof the pool or spa, the chemical solution being color coded with a watersoluble organic or inorganic colorant or dye which serves as an indiciato the pool or spa owner of the depletion of the chemical solution fromthe dispensing unit and the need for replacement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent,particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a typical home swimming pool;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the dispensing container;

FIG. 3 is an alternative construction of the dispensing container;

FIG. 4 is a second alternative construction of the dispensing container;and

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the dispensing container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As indicated in FIG. 1, a typical swimming pool comprises a pool 10,which has a drain 11 and sump 12 at the bottom of the pool, and askimmer 14, which carries away overflow and collects floating debris, astrainer 15 at the inlet to a pump 16, a filter 17, a water main 18, asource of fresh water, a system outlet 19 and a pool inlet 20. Pipes21-30 and valves 31-36 connect all of the aforesaid elements.

In normal operation water is taken from the pool through the skimmer 14,the pipe 21, the valve 31, pipes 22 and 23, strainer 15, pump 16, pipe24, valve 32, pipe 25, filter 17, pipe 26, valve 33 and pipe 27, back tothe pool inlet 20. Valve 34 allows water to be recirculated in whole orin part from the bottom drain 11 and valve 35 allows water to be gravitydumped through pipe 29 to the system outlet 19. Valve 36 connects themain 18 to replenish through pipes 28 and 23. The valves 32 and 33 maybe turned to backwash the filter 17 via pipe 30. The skimmer 14 isarranged to collect leaves and other floating debris. To prevent theplugging of pipes 21, 22, 23, and pump 16, the skimmer 14 has perforatedbasket 41 of larger diameter and strainer 15 has a strainer basket 42.While the flow velocity of the baskets is much less than in the pipes,it is still perceptible and non-uniform so that when a container ofchemical of the kind described hereafter is dropped into the perforatedbasket in the skimmer, or in the strainer basket, it bobs or flutterswith the flow through the baskets. The feeder may be inserted at theseplaces or a special chamber.

FIG. 2 is representative of a practical embodiment for a dispensingcontainer for chemicals, hereinafter termed a “feeder” (the Etanipatents). The feeder comprises two plastic hemispheres 101, 102 whichare joined together in the manner of some table tennis balls withcement. The hemisphere 101 has a filling hole 105, which is closed by aplug 110. For dispensing the chemical, there are a number of small holes112 in the hemisphere 101. Plug 110 has a porous buoyant portion 114.

FIG. 3 represents a construction in which two hemispheres 121 and 122are joined at a flange. The thermo-plastic hemispheres with flanges canbe made easily by the vacuum-forming process. This is the preferredconstruction when polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used, or when the fillingchemical is compressed into a solid ball “brickette”. The flange closureis readily achieved by ultrasonic welding, and the flange assists therotation of the feeder in the eddies of flow. It also facilitates thehandling and packaging of the feeders. The body of chemical, or an addedweight 127 tends to stabilize the upward orientation of the feeder holesin conditions of low flow.

FIG. 4 represents an alternate closure of the feeder of FIG. 3. In thisconstruction the feeder is filled by the supplier with a desiredquantity of chemical 140, leaving an empty space 141, and sealed with apatch 144. The empty space may be filled with inert gas for chemicalswhich may be degraded in the presence of air or moisture. With thisconstruction, the user must make the proper number of dispensing holesby piercing the feeder with a needle or the like.

FIG. 5 is a cut-away drawing of the capsule configuration preferred formost swimming pool and spa uses. The sphere is blow molded of highdensity polyethylene. Twenty-two grams of the polymer are needed for asphere 2¾ inches in diameter. The shell 150 varies somewhat in thicknessbetween about one sixteenth and one eighth of an inch. The mold is madein two parts. When molding is complete the sphere is left with a smallhole at 151 and a pair of stub wings 152 and 153 which serve thefunction of the flange in the configuration of FIG. 3. In preparationfor filling, the blow hole 151 is closed, and the filling hole 154,formed in the mold, is clealy cut through, both operations using anultrasonic tool. It is desired that this capsule float with eachdispensing hole 157 near the liquid levels inside 158, and outside 159,the capsule when it is resting in still water. To achieve this result,an air space 160 is left after filling with the emulsion, and zero-gaugebuck shot 161 is swaged into the filler plug 162.

Depending on the product, the dispensing units may be formed of atranslucent plastic, and in some instances a colored opaque plastic. Ittherefore becomes difficult for the pool or spa owner to determine ofthere is any efficacy left in the dispensing unit in that most of thechemical water treatment solutions are also clear or translucent. Inoperation, the chemical water treatment solution is gradually dispensedthrough the apertures in the dispensing unit to the pool and thedispensed chemical water treatment solution is replaced by normal poolwater. Therefore the weight of the dispensing unit does not provide anindicia or indicate to the pool owner whether or not the chemical watertreatment solution has been fully dispensed and that the dispensing unitis depleted. Placement of a water soluble colorant or dye into thechemical water treatment solution at the time of filling the dispensingunit provides the pool owner with a visual indicia as to the amount ofchemical water treatment solution remaining. This can be evident to thepool or spa owner by merely examining the dispensing unit if thedispensing unit is translucent to determine if the pool or spa ownerdetects any color within the dispensing unit which in turn wouldindicate that there is chemical water treatment solution remaining inthe dispensing unit.

In those cases where the dispensing unit is opaque, the pool or spaowner can remove the dispensing unit from the pool or spa and shake thedispensing unit to dispense a small quantity of the contents of same. Ifthe dispensed contents have a color, it is indicative that there isstill chemical water treatment solution remaining in the dispenser.

When the pool or spa owner visually observes a clear liquid within atranslucent container, or a clear liquid dispensed after shaking thedispensing unit, the pool or spa owner is reasonably assured that thechemical water treatment solution has been completely dispensed and thata new dispensing unit should be prepared and positioned in the poolskimmer.

The dye utilized in order to color code the water treatment chemicalsmay be a water soluble organic or inorganic colorant or dye such as afood grade, non-toxic, biodegradable and water soluable and may includea common food coloring. The color of the dye is one of choice, howeverthe color may be chosen to indicate the particular chemical solution andits water quality efficacy.

In the case of swimming pools and spas, the water soluble organic orinorganic colorant or dye may be food grade, non-toxic, biodegradableand water soluble such as food coloring. In this manner, as it isdisbursed from its concentration in the dispensing unit, the dye isdiluted due to the volume of the pool or spa such that there is noaesthetic displeasing effect. In the dispensing unit of the typedescribed herein, it has been found that an appropriate range of organicor inorganic colorant or dye is in the range of 0.07 percent to 10.0percent with a preferred range of 0.07 percent to 0.10 percent byvolume. As an example, quantities of common water quality treatmentsolutions are prepared in 55 gallon batches (7,040 ounces) for fillingdispensing units of the type described. It has been found that thequantity of dye required for introduction into the batch process inorder to achieve a color coded water treatment solution for filling thedispensing unit can range from 5 ounces to 7 ounces per batch (55gallons; 7,040 ounces). This quantity of dye in this type of batchprocess results in a color coded water treatment solution within adispensing unit of the type described which is visible to the eye if thedispensing unit is constructed of a translucent plastic, and that it isfurther visible to the eye if the dispensing unit is constructed of anopaque plastic such that the pool or spa owner must remove thedispensing unit and shake the dispensing unit in order to dispenseseveral drops of contents onto his hand. The presence of an effectiveamount of the select water treatment solution within the dispensing unitwould be visible to the eye of the pool or spa user when the dispensingunit was so shaken.

The purpose of the water soluble organic or inorganic colorant or dye isto provide a visual color coding indicia available to the user forefficacy of chemical introduction to the pool or spa. A greater amountof water soluble colorant or dye reduces the amount of effectivechemical treatment. An increased amount of water soluble organic orinorganic colorant or dye provides increased visual indicia but limitsthe efficacy and duration of time release of the effective chemical.Therefore a range of 0.07 percent to 10.0 percent by volume of dyeprovides an effective volume amount of effective chemical over time anda preferred range of 0.07 percent to 1.0 percent of dye allows for asuggested maximization of effective chemical.

Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respectto the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It istherefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by theclaims and the equivalence thereof.

1. A dispenser and solution for dispensing the solution into a swimmingpool, hot tub, spa or other water pond to maintain the chemistry andaesthetics of the water, the dispenser and solution comprising: adispensing container being generally spherical in shape, having aneutral buoyancy dependent upon water velocity flow causing saiddispensing container to randomly move about freely and rotate, saiddispensing container defining a chamber of sufficient size toaccommodate a solution to be dispensed, said solution comprising achemical from the group consisting of flocculants, coagulants,microbiocides, disinfectants, disinfectant enhancers, oxidizers,sequestrants, chelating agents, defoamers, germicides and evaporationretarders, said solution also including a visually observable dyeindicative of the efficacy of the solution remaining within saiddispenser.
 2. The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 1wherein said dye comprises a water soluble organic or inorganic colorantor dye.
 3. The dispenser and solution in accordance with claim 2 whereinsaid water soluble colorant or dye comprises a food grade,biodegradable, non-toxic dye.
 4. The dispenser and solution inaccordance with claim 3 wherein said food grade, biodegradable,non-toxic dye comprises a food coloring.
 5. The dispenser and solutionin accordance with claim 2 wherein said water soluble colorant or dye ispresent in said dispenser in a range of .07% to 10.0% by volume. 6.(canceled)
 7. A solution for maintaining the chemistry and aesthetics ofa swimming pool, hot tub, spa or other water pond, the solutioncomprising a chemical from the group consisting of flocculants,coagulants, microbiocides, disinfectants, disinfectant enhancers,oxidizers, sequestrants, chelating agents, defoamers, germicides, andevaporation retarders, said solution also including a visuallyobservable dye indicative of the efficacy of said solution remaining. 8.The solution in accordance with claim 7 wherein said dye comprises awater soluble organic or inorganic colorant or dye.
 9. The solution inaccordance with claim 8 wherein said water soluble colorant or dyecomprises a food grade, biodegradable, non-toxic water soluble dye. 10.The solution in accordance with claim 9 wherein said food grade,biodegradable, non-toxic dye comprises a food coloring.
 11. The solutionin accordance with claim 8 wherein said food grade, biodegradable,nontoxic dye is present in said solution in a range of from .07% to10.0% by volume.
 12. (canceled)